Portuguese health official urges for children vaccination amid measles epidemic

LISBON, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's Director General for Health Francisco George on Monday called on parents to vaccinate their children "without hesitation," after the country registered around 23 cases of measles since the beginning of this year.

According to the director general for health, 11 cases of measles were confirmed by Institute Ricardo Jorge and the remaining 12 were being investigated.

George told local broadcaster Antena 1 that there were serious cases of measles due to an epidemic.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, which affects mostly children, according to the World Health Organization, and it can cause serious complications.